Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-18

SHakfiu, tuat Wtft Tue Whpit duaf NV ~ " u
ely notifying, II would be too absurd.
Fanny" begins Ada, in tragic voice, 1--WE
can't take her TO the st. Clare's. 1t would
never do"
II don't see how we can help It," ] say,
gloomily. ''Did you ever see anything like
herr"
"Never." returned my sister solemly; "and
really do not see how we are TO take her
about" looking renectvey into the fire. Pm
sure should be ashamed TO be seen with her."
How long will she stay, motherp'
"About a month, should think" says
mother with sigh, mot longer"
'Qute long enough" says Ada, sayagcly,
while ] can only reiterate, "A month";" des'
paringly. Then We are all silent, picturing
suppose, whatthe prospective month will bring
forth. Apparently none OF us find the renec-
ton cheering.
'Didn't you know what like she was when
you asked herf asks Ada presently, with un-
reasoning Impotence sis she like Uncle Ed
gari"
''Why, you know, dear" saws mother, an
swering the impetuous eutburst with her usu-
al unrufiled gentlcness, ''Ive never seen Mary
until TO night and she is as like your uncle as
-as-well, as she is unlike you, Ada" she ends
smilingly.
Ada is the strong point Of the family in per
sonal attraction. Probably she is soothed by
the allusion, for she kisses mother by way OF
apology and we grow q little less doleful as
we resolve 10 make the best o. matters as they
are. So we get our work and the clock on the
mantelpiece ticks steadily, and the fire burns
brightly, but somehow, instead Of the usual
merry buzz Of conversation, we seem sudden
ly TO have developed a reflective turn OF mind
for the work progresses but our voices are ST.
lent. Presently we are startled by ring at
the door bell--it must be quite two hours after
Cousin Mary has retired-indeed, we are just
putting our work together, as 1t Is getting late
and Jibby brings in a red envelope, and
handing it 10 mother, says in voice OF awe,
due To the occasion, "A telegram for you,
ma'am." "A telegram" exclaims mother with
a nervous start born Of general horror OF tel
egrams, AMI ! know that her thoughts straight
way A. to Tom in India Jibby retires, and
Mother tears open the envelope with trembling
fingers and reads aloud
From Mary Montgomery, Yarley, 10 Mrs.
Vaughn, Well Road, Tunburgh.
"Eave been obliged to delay my arrival till
tomorrow. Hope this will not Inconvenience
you. VIII explain reason when we meet"
Mother reads 1t once through, then looks up
bewildered ut cant be for me, she saws at
last, picking up the envelope and examining
the address
"Of course it is" I say; "look here's your
name and address inside as we'll"
But Mary's up stairs" says mother in a
puzzled tone. whats it all about don't
understand" and she proceeds to pefuse the
telegram once more.
None Of US understood at first, but gradual
y a light dawns upon Us.
II have it," says Ada in an eager excited
tone 1t isn't Mary we've got up stairs at all. "
She announces her conviction just as we all
come to the same conclusion.
'Then who is itl' asks mother slowly. Yes
who is it. There's the rub
Apparently an immense weight has been
lifted from Adas mind By her discovery, for
regardless OF the dilemma we are in If she is
right, her face beams with satisfaction.
Mothers, on the con- rary wears a look OF
troubled anxiety, which think the occasion
hardly justfes-an anxiety which seems TO
deepen the more she ponders the matter. At
last she speaks
"Some one has known Of this" she says
gravely, LAYING her hand on the telegram.
Some one has known of Marys movements.
The woman up stairs is an imposter | feel
sure of it. She's not a woman either, or I'm
very much mistaken" she goes on excitedly,
not needing the paradox; shes mana
thief in disguised
Ada and opened our eyes wide In amaze
ment az such revelations. What's TO be
doneln gasp when can find voice, never
stopping for moment TO question the proba
| biity of mothers conclusions. ! have read
of such things. | grasp the situation, and
! feel there is no time TO be lost Already the
thief We are harborng may be making the
most OF his time up stairs upon pair Of
much valued Queen Anne candlesticks aiorn-
! ing the bedroom mantlepiece.
| glance at the clock II IL getting late.
Something must be done We are all so hel p
less 1--WE must have some help" say ener
getically "Jibby and ! will go for a police
/ man"
"Oh, my dear" exclaims mother in an anx-
ious tone, while Ada saws nothing except to
entreat me In a nervous voice to be as quick
as possible
There is police station three minutes walk
J
work OF the intervening distance. When we
reach it there is light within and a compos
ed looking individual calmly surveys US over
pair of spectacles with an expression OF sur
prise. / relate nv story as coherently as
can for want OF breath, OF which the mar
makes a few jottings In a provoking delibe
rate manner after which be calls some on,
from an inner ROOM retails TO him the outline
Of my narrative and in perhaps ten minute.
from the time We entered We start homeward.
escorted by two stalwart members OF th,
force
Almost before we have rung, Ada opens the
door for us. Mother is still nervous anC
harassed Jack excited at the PROJECT OF al
adventure.
"What would you adviser asks mother
addressing the taller OF the policemen 'Thi
person is in a bedroom upstairs"
'Some one had better wake her-just in cas-,
you're mistaken, ma am" he adds, half apollo
getically for appearing 10 doubt mother.
you had better knock aud explain matters
and see what she has To say for herself" h
goes on, turning to me. You need not be ii